Health and Medical Administration Commons^™

Design And Implementation Of A Notification System For The Purpose Of Improving Communication Between Nurses And Patients, Aindrila Bhattacharya

2025 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Communication is an important part of how nurses administer treatment to their patients. Without proper communication, it is difficult for the nurses to connect with their patients and vice versa. This paper will be going into some previous literature about communication between patients and nurses in general, communication with respect to pediatric patients and how notification systems have been implemented in the past. It will then discuss the methodology and implementation of a notification system for a medical app. The medical app is meant to facilitate communication from the side of the patient to the nurse, while the notification system …

Understanding The Impact Of Language Barriers And Visit Duration On Caregiver Satisfaction In Pediatric Primary Care, Gavin Miller

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Children from households that speak languages other than English (LOE) face barriers in accessing healthcare, leading to poorer health outcomes. Language barriers contribute to these disparities, often resulting in diminished communication between providers and families. Visit duration may play a key role in facilitating effective communication and improving patient satisfaction.

Purpose: This study examines how language barriers affect caregiver satisfaction in pediatric primary care, and whether visit duration mediates this relationship. We hypothesized that caregivers from LOE households would have comparable visit durations to English-preferring caregivers but report lower satisfaction due to receiving less information within that time. …

Enhancing The Eden Alternative Model With Well Standards: A Case Study Analysis, Mariah Stoner

Architecture Masters of Science Program: Theses

This thesis investigates the potential for improving the Eden Alternative Model, a person-centered approach to elder care that emphasizes creating a homelike environment and meaningful relationships, using WELL Standards, a building certification system focused on enhancing human health and well-being through improvements in environmental quality. Through a mixed-methods approach involving quantitative data analysis and qualitative case studies, this research examines how WELL Standards, which cover aspects such as air quality, water quality, lighting, and thermal comfort, can improve environmental quality and resident satisfaction within the Eden Alternative Model. This research introduces a tailored approach to elder care by combining these …

Assessing The Accessibility Of Wound Care Education For Unhoused Individuals Of South Jersey, Marilyn A. Chen, Selma S. Benkhoukha, Allysone Martinez

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Unhoused individuals face disproportionately high rates of wound-related complications due to environmental exposure, limited access to hygiene facilities, and delayed care. This study assessed the accessibility of wound care for the unhoused population in South Jersey, where approximately 2,607 individuals experience homelessness on any given night. Our research identified significant barriers to wound care access, including transportation limitations, lack of identification documents, absence of a physical mailing address, and language barriers. Data analysis revealed concerning trends: a 24% increase in New Jersey's homeless population in 2024, with Black/African American individuals representing 49% of the homeless population despite comprising only 12% …

Patient Perspectives On The Role Of Healthcare Providers In Addressing Food Insecurity In A Nj Primary Care Setting, Anna Flts, Lisa Huang, Aarsa Moosavi, Jha Stuti, Philip B Collins

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Food insecurity is a critical social determinant of health, yet is rarely discussed with patients in primary care settings. The objective of this project is to explore patient perspectives on the physician role in addressing food insecurity as well as to identify factors associated with food insecurity among patients in family medicine clinics.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was distributed to patients (n=250) across two academic family medicine clinics in South New Jersey between May 2023 and December 2024. Demographics, self-reported health status, and comfort with discussing food insecurity were collected. Additionally, food insecurity status was determined based on the …

Exploring Anticoagulant Prescription Disparities: A Focus On Hispanic Patient Care, Michael Acevedo, Vanessa Veltre

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Anticoagulants play a critical role in preventing thromboembolic events, yet disparities persist in their prescription among minority populations. This presentation explores inequities in anticoagulant prescribing patterns, with a specific focus on Hispanic patient care. Using retrospective electronic health record data, we analyzed the prescription rates of warfarin versus direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among adults with clinical indications for anticoagulation. Our findings reveal that Hispanic patients are significantly less likely to receive DOACs compared to non-Hispanic White patients, even after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and insurance status. Contributing factors include language barriers, lack of insurance, and potential implicit bias in provider …

Cardiovascular Risk Factors In The Autism Spectrum Disorder Population, Christian C. Iannuzzelli, Andrea L. Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The population of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have multiple risks and barriers that may make access to proper health care more difficult. After extensive research, some of these barriers may have been identified that pose greater risks to generating proper care for those with ASD. Some of these barriers include medical complexity, more sedentary lifestyles, poor food choices, as well as health comorbities. Some of these health comorbidities include hypertension, metabolic dysfunction, sleep apnea, and inflammation. This study aims to understand what barriers and risks for CVD are present in those with ASD.

Addressing Gaps In Clinical Trial Access For African Americans, Vanessa Veltre, Michael Acevedo, Alexandra Stone, Lydell Lettsome, Brian Stone

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Clinical trials are essential for generating evidence on the safety and efficacy of new treatments. However, Black Americans remain underrepresented in clinical research, particularly for conditions that disproportionately affect them. This underrepresentation compromises the generalizability of findings and perpetuates health disparities. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to African American participation in clinical trials and to inform culturally sensitive strategies to improve enrollment of diverse populations.

Methods: We developed a 38-question web-based survey, divided into three domains: (1) cultural affinity, (2) trust, and (3) background information. The survey was administered using Jotform, a HIPAA-compliant platform. Participants—Black adults …

Child Sex Trafficking In Pediatrics: From Screening To Comprehensive Care, Victoria Shwe, Tracy Lin, Nicole M. Leopardi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Child sex trafficking is a significant issue in New Jersey, with minors making up 22% of trafficking victims in 2023. While screening tools exist to identify at-risk youth, there is a major gap in understanding the steps healthcare providers should take after identification to ensure appropriate care, support, and referrals. Current research highlights the lack of data on the use of trafficking screening tools and the absence of standardized post-screening protocols. Most pediatricians rely on referrals to social services or law enforcement, yet limited coordination between healthcare providers and these agencies complicates effective care. The shortage of child abuse pediatric …

Beyond The Label: Understanding And Addressing Occupational Stigma In Psychiatry, Mahesh Vasudevan, Madeeha Sheriff

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction:Stigma is a social classification that devalues individuals or groups, and occupational stigma targets entire professions. Psychiatry is particularly affected, often viewed by the public and medical community as lacking scientific rigor and prestige. This negative perception has far-reaching consequences.

Methods:A narrative literature review was conducted to explore the scope, sources, and impact of occupational stigma toward psychiatrists. Peer-reviewed articles and professional resources published between 2002 and 2023 were selected based on relevance to psychiatric stigma, education, and public perception. Databases searched included PubMed, Google Scholar, and professional association websites using keywords such as “psychiatry stigma” and “psychiatrist …

Exploring The Effects Of Target Race, Gender, And Weight On Pain Perception, Catherine Awad, Theresa Miller, Azer Tuerxuntuoheti, Peter Mende-Siedlecki

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Healthcare equity is an essential right, and while the quality of care is assumed to be uniform, notable disparities in care are associated with factors of race, gender, and weight-particularly in the domain of pain evaluation and care. In experimental work, target race and gender have varying, and interacting effects on visual thresholds for perceiving painful expressions. Racial bias in pain perception is well established as participants see pain on black faces less readily than pain on white faces; gender also impacts pain treatment, where women are susceptible to having their pain discredited. Across two experiments, the influence of weight …

Disparities In Demographics Of Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic In South Jersey, Kirsten Carlberg, Sabah Iqbal, Christian Moya Gamboa, Daliza Diaz, Cerena Moreno, Rebecca Moore

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Medical schools around the country have established free clinics to better serve the underserved patient populations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate demographic characteristics in the patient population at our free clinic, Rowan-Virtua Community Health Clinic (RVCHC), compared to the general population of Camden County. We found a disproportionately higher percentage of black patients at our clinic when compared to the county overall. Addressing these disparities would require targeted outreach to specific patient populations and improved transit access. Future studies should aim to identify RVCHC health outcomes through the management of chronic disease and understanding emergency room utilization.

Heart To Heart: Exploring Why Cardiovascular Risk Is Higher In South Asians, Jasjeet Kaur Dhaliwal

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality, but South Asians experience a disproportionately high burden of disease, often developing CVD at younger ages and with lower body mass indices compared to other populations. This project explores the underlying genetic and lifestyle factors contributing to elevated cardiovascular risk in South Asians, aiming to highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies and policy reforms.

A literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, and reviews published between 2007 and 2024. After screening 47 initial articles, 18 were selected for analysis based on their relevance to genetic and lifestyle risk …

Assessing The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Mental Health In Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic, Sabah Iqbal, Kirsten Carlberg, Emily Reilly, Jessica Ivanov, Victoria Youssef, Lily Roessler, Maikel Monsour, Nils Brolis

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Mental health is an important part of patient care, therefore it is imperative to understand how it’s recognized and treated. Socioeconomic status and the COVID19 pandemic contribute to disproportionate incidences of mental illness^{1, 2, 10, 11, 12}. This study uses data from a student-run clinic, the Rowan-Virtua Community Health Center (RVCHC), to examine disparities in mental health needs and screenings among the local population.

Hypothesis

It was hypothesized that underserved populations are at a disadvantage when it comes to both mental health screenings and treatment due to restricted access to healthcare and other unmet needs. Additionally, the …

Strategizing Towards The Future Hospital: A Systems Thinking Approach, Ashish Kumar, Sean Shao Wei Lam, Sze Ling Chan, Yingqi Xu, Yao Ge, Geoffrey Kah Tack Gui, Hiang Khoon Tan

Research Collection School Of Economics

Background: The complex systemic nature of Future Hospital design in the rapidly ageing city-state of Singapore calls for systems thinking. We apply this approach to answer two research questions: (i) What are the variables that drive the present and future dynamics of the Future Hospital system? (ii) How are these driving variables related? Methods: Causal loop diagrams (CLDs) were developed collaboratively by a cross-functional system modelling team through group modelling discussions and reviews, totalling 20 sessions. Network analysis of the resulting CLDs was used to identify dominant variables. Results: Seven interlocking CLDs (national view, cluster view, and study hospital top …

Toward The Application Of Natural Language Processing In Electronic Health Record Analysis For Taxonomy Development, Latoya Mcdonald

All Dissertations

Electronic health records (EHRs) are pivotal resources for nurse practice because they increase the timeliness and reliability of patient information at the point of care and support access by multiple healthcare providers and the individual patients themselves. However, it is widely recognized that data extraction from EHRs is challenging due to the variability in the language used in clinical care notes and the lack of standardized terminology across healthcare systems. The broad objective of this dissertation is to develop taxonomy-based classification models for nursing care by applying feature engineering approaches to EHRs that include nursing care of ostomy patients following …

Hope Experience Essentials: The Next Generation Of Service Standards At Mayo Clinic, Jennifer Packard, Richard M. Elias, Thomas J. (Tripp) Welch, Karee A. Munson, Jonathan A. Leighton

Patient Experience Journal

Engaging employees in providing exemplary patient experience has been challenging for healthcare leaders in recent years given the pressures of the regulatory environment, increases in staff burnout and rising patient expectations. Amid these challenges, addressing patient experience remains a top priority for healthcare organizations. A novel intervention has been applied at Mayo Clinic with the goal of improving both employee engagement and patient experience. Previous efforts to teach service excellence involved customer service trainings, sometimes purchased through outside vendors. This new initiative is based on our organizational culture and values, input from our employees and patients, and considers the changing …

What Makes A Hospital Gown Functional? A Comparative Case Study Of Effective Patient-Centered Design Practices In Four (N = 4) Hospital Gowns, Robmarie Lopez

Patient Experience Journal

A hospital gown is essentially a patient uniform. Yet, the typical ``tie in the back'' hospital gown, standard garb for routine medical procedure, can have great influence over key intervention factors like receptiveness to treatment and patient self-esteem. Thus, the goals of this study are two-fold: 1) To understand patient perceptions of the standard hospital gown, and 2) To understand which principles and elements of design underpin effectively functional hospital gown redesign. Aim 1 was assessed via a comprehensive literature review of n = 5 qualitative or mixed-methods studies which surveyed or interviewed patients on their experience with the standard …

Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis Expressing Their Possible Selves Through Photovoice: A Longitudinal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis To Prepare A Peer Support Intervention For Healthcare Transition, Maxime Morsa, Adélaïde Vincent-Lardy, Julie Haesebaert, Catherine Llerena, Lucie Pelz, Philippe Reix, Rémi Gagnayre, Quitterie Reynaud

Patient Experience Journal

While the transition from pediatric to adult care has become a field of study and practice focused on preparing the adolescent to ``become an adult with a chronic condition'', we are conducting participatory research to develop, implement, and evaluate a peer-support intervention aimed at supporting transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents living with cystic fibrosis within two hospital centers in France. In preparation for this intervention, we would like to better understand how peer support could support identity self-determination of the adolescents. We conducted a longitudinal qualitative research using photovoice technique. For one year, 8 French adolescents (15–18 …

Unveiling Patient Satisfaction: Exploring Demographics, Interactions, And Health-Seeking Behavior, Vanessa B. Crowther, Cassandra Shaw-Johnson, Robbya R. Green-Weir, Pia S. Woodley, Marilyn A. Weatherspoon, Errick D. Farmer, Arlesia L. Mathis

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: This study examined the social context of the patient visit (demographics, waiting room experience, patient-provider interaction) and their relationship to satisfaction with the quality of care when seeking medical treatment. It also examined satisfaction as a predictor variable for its effect on three patient behavioral outcomes. Methods: The study was implemented using a cross-sectional quantitative design among adults aged 18 and older. One hundred fifty-eight participants responded to the survey, and the final sample size was n = 147. We employed advanced data analysis, hierarchical regression, three-way ANOVA, linear regression, and logistic regression to examine four outcome variables. Results: …

Effectiveness Of Incident Reporting Tools In Ensuring Patient Safety: A Systematic-Narrative Hybrid Review, Valentina Cerrone, Vincenzo Andretta, Angela Prendin, Bernadette Ilardi, Carloluigi Bonetti, Mario Capunzo, Marco Cascella

Patient Experience Journal

Background: Ensuring Patient Safety in healthcare is essential and requires efficient methods to reduce risks and improve the quality of care. Although incident reporting tools are commonly used to identify possible and actual care failures, their efficacy differs among various environments. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of incident reporting tools in enhancing patient safety. Methods: This review employed a combined methodology that integrates systematic and narrative approaches to gain a thorough understanding of incident reporting practices. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for studies published from January 2013 to …

Patient Perspectives On Implementing A Person-Centered Care System: Experiences From The U.S. Veterans Health Administration's Whole Health System Of Care, Ekaterina Anderson, Renda S. Wiener, Brianne Molloy-Paolillo, Megan Mccullough, Bo Kim, J. Irene Harris, Seppo T. Rinne, Barbara G. Bokhour

Patient Experience Journal

Objectives. Replacing the disease-centered, paternalistic approach in healthcare with a person-centered model has become a widely recognized imperative. However, patients' perspectives on and experiences with real-life efforts to implement this approach to care are rarely studied. We examined this issue at a health system with a prominent record of commitment to implementing person-centered care on the system level – the U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA). For over a decade, VHA has been transforming itself into a Whole Health (WH) system of care that is person-centered, holistic, and empowering. Methods. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 19 patients recruited from a …

My Life, My Story And Life Recovery Among Veterans With Substance Use Problems, Grace Chang Md, Mph, Martha J. Duffy Md, Susan Nathan Md

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: The United States Veterans Health Administration My Life, My Story (MLMS) program is a patient-centered care intervention where veterans are interviewed about their life story and may grant permission to include it in their electronic health record (EHR). Our purpose was to focus on a sample of MLMS narratives from veterans with self-disclosed substance use (SU) from our institution, and to evaluate the potential relationship between their content and a life change for the better, and to compare their content with the EHR. Methods: The narratives were reviewed on 4 domains (past challenge, substance use, experience of a turning …

The Impact Of Learners On Patient Satisfaction In The Orthopedic Setting, Sydney Boike, Kevin Hodge, Lynsey Malin, Timothy Nyangacha, Rebekah Kleinsmith, Megan Reams, Julia Stumpf, Bradley Nelson

Patient Experience Journal

This investigation evaluates the impact of learners and their post-graduate year (PGY) levels on patient satisfaction in the orthopedic outpatient clinic, an area with limited prior research. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from July 2020 to December 2022, involving 2,484 patients, with a 39% response rate. Satisfaction was measured via NRC Health surveys, focusing on the likelihood of recommending the provider or clinic based on the presence of learners, categorized as none, present in the clinic, or involved in patient care. Non-parametric statistical analysis revealed significant reductions in satisfaction when learners were involved in care, with top-box …

A Qualitative Study: Patients' Expectation Of Private Hospitals, Sarah Jada, Jessy Jacob, Ahmad Nasrallah

Patient Experience Journal

Objectives: This study was conducted to explore patients' expectations and perceptions of private healthcare facilities, understand the key factors influencing their choice of such facilities, also identify elements that enhance patient satisfaction and loyalty, enabling the development of actionable recommendations to improve patient-centered care in private healthcare settings. Method: A qualitative study using thematic analysis was conducted with 29 patients from various nationalities and backgrounds who received services in private hospitals in Kuwait, including Dar Al Shifa Hospital. Insights were gathered through semi-structured interviews. Results: The study delved into the significant correlation between patients' experience of their healthcare encounters and …

Patient Perspectives On Health Care Utilization At Two Free Clinics – A Qualitative Study, Patrick Fagan, Danny Guillen Perez, Roberta D. Baer, John Petrilli

Patient Experience Journal

Millions of uninsured Americans access health care through free clinics, but their experience with the medical system is understudied. This study sought to understand patterns in free clinic patients' experience with healthcare utilization through qualitative and descriptive analyses. Data were collected through face-to-face, open-ended interviews at two free clinics in an urban Florida community. The clinics included one student-run free clinic and one community-based free clinic. Survey questions were developed based on prior literature and validated through expert consensus and pilot interviews. The interviewers conducted 74 interviews between May 7 and June 10, 2022. Responses were coded by the authors, …

The Patient Ombudsperson's Experience Of Patient Partnership And Mutual Understanding Of Rights, Sanna Ryynänen

Patient Experience Journal

Mutual understanding between the patient and the healthcare professional can be considered a key factor of a positive patient experience in the care relationship. Mutual understanding can be promoted through patient partnership, which, in this personal and professional narrative, the author (a patient ombudsperson, known as patient ombudsman, and researcher of patient experience) describes as participation through patient rights during care. In the relationship between the patient and the healthcare professional (i.e., who acts as a care provider in the patient's care), medical treatment decisions and related patient rights go hand in hand. Even in difficult care situations of mutual …

Beyond The White Coat: Mental Health In The Life Of A Junior Doctor, Araya Gautam

Patient Experience Journal

This article underscores the profound need for a culture that prioritises mental health, especially among doctors navigating their early careers. This personal narrative also highlights the importance of overcoming this and the challenges one can face while trying to do so. A journey of a 30-year-old doctor, as she hurdled along life with the passing of her grandparents and studying for the exam, it looked like a task that was achievable at first, but as time went by anxiety and self-doubts were not easy to navigate. This piece outlines why it is of utmost importance that we as doctor realise …

Escuchame: A Story Of Patient Resilience, Daniel Murillo Armenta, John Paul Braun

Patient Experience Journal

This article is a narrative following a patient's experience through the American Healthcare system. This article is written by a second-year medical student. During this time the individual repeatedly engaged in different specialties of medicine such as neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, emergency medicine, gynecology, and primary care. This narrative demonstrates how certain issues such as healthcare access, patient demographics, defective communication, and general mistrust of the healthcare system negatively impact patient outcomes. As an uninsured immigrant, the patient was in a disadvantaged position when her health problems first began. Due to her lack of insurance, she did not have an established …

Re-Recruitment: An Essential Aspect Of Human Experience, Thom Mayer, David Fessell, Amy Young

Patient Experience Journal

Healthcare staffing is a major issue facing leaders at all levels and is affected by turnover rates in ``The Great Resignation,'' as well as the issue of burnout, moral injury, and turnover. In seeking to deal with defining and making human experience as reality, these factors affect every level, from patient experience to workforce experience to community experience, all of which are related to not just adequate staffing and preventing turnover but doing so with our highest performing ``A Team'' members. Using the tool of re-recruitment of these high-level professionals and team members can be critical to retaining talent, while …